It is this type mentality the reason why Dobson has remained over a decade as a stagnant artist, never progressing or improving and probably never will. Yes, there can be a friendly, supportive atmosphere between colleagues but that is not at odds with the idea of "friendly competition" One of the reason why artist interact with each other is to see what their peers are doing and to learn from them to improve by one upping each other as a means to encourage said improvement. Dobson has this warped idea that art is this nebulous, completely subjective endeavor that is beyond critique or judgement. This whole "all art has redeeming quality" is a highly dubious claim. A great artist I admire by the name of "Sindoll" once said that "There are no bad art styles, just bad art." and rightfully so, anyone can objectively look at a piece of art and see if it is aesthetically pleasing or not, well executed or not. Dobson's "Everybody's art, no matter their skill, is good" is unadulterated bullshit.
I could understand being lenient with a hobbyist artists who draws art as a means to have fun and for non profit, but on professional circles you gotta learn to take tough criticism, specially if said criticism is aimed at technical issues within the artwork. Treating aspiring artist that want to make art their profession with silk gloves and endless cotton ball pampering is not going to take them anywhere. And wanting to be popular or better regarded among your own peers is not toxic, is showing a hunger, an ambition to grow and become better, to rise up and fight hard to achieve it. That's the problem Dobson has, he doesn't have that burning desire within him, the very idea of competing makes him crumble and not even try. Yet he pretends to be a pro and expects to be payed for his below average art while he acts as a hobbyist.
If all art is good then how come there are artists out there earning tens of thousands for their art while he barely scrapes together a hundred bucks? Clearly people see more value on some artist's work over another, so clearly there is something objectively wrong with Dobson's statements.
